KOHAT: The local residents blocked the Hangu-Thall highway on Tuesday against the killing of two brothers allegedly in the custody of the Punjab police.

They said the two were picked from Hangu by the Punjab police a month ago, and their bodies arrived on Tuesday.

The protesters, including the family members of the deceased, said the two were killed on July 26, but the police claimed they were killed in an encounter.

Khaista Zareen, a brother of the victims, on the occasion alleged Zeenatullah and Naqeebullah were handed over to the Punjab police by the Saddar police station of Hangu. He said if his brothers were wanted in any criminal case they should have been presented in the court.

The protesters demanded of the government to order registration of FIR against those who were involved in the ‘brutal’ murders. They also demanded an impartial investigation into the killings.

They said Hangu district police officer Asif Bahadar was equally responsible for the double murder because he could not protect the lives of persons taken away from his area of jurisdiction.

The district police officer, however, said both the brothers, who were wanted by the Punjab police, were handed over to the latter on court orders.

Published in Dawn, Aug 2nd, 2023